War has historically been against a nation-state, or possibly a land mass or ethnicity. And there is clear endgame: surrender by recognized leaders, or unequivocal military domination. But terrorist cells have no leaders, and cannot surrender en masse. And the only way to dominate them militarily is to dominate the entire globe.
The "War on Terror" is not a war. It is declaration of ownership, that says we can deploy military might whenever and wherever we want.
Those characteristics make them great vehicles for political manoeuvring and expansion of government spending and powers. And this is why I think neither will ever end; I could not see any politician willingly throwing away such a tool. I mean, look at the War on Drugs... we've been "fighting" for over 40 years and are no closer to an end.
Look at what we've lost already to the War on Terror, then try to imagine what we will have given up 30 years from now.
But yes, both the WoD and WoT employ similar tactics: disproportionate power and violence under the guise of safety, while downplaying the human and financial costs to a broader public who is mostly insulated from the reality of the situation.
In both cases, I don't think the motivations for doing so are singular; there's a little racism in there, a little classism, a little jingoism, a good helping of perverse financial incentives, and perhaps most insidiously, Just Because We Can. (See "Lord of War" or "Thank You For Smoking": people like doing what they're good at.)
Me: Ok, ok, so you're at war. Is this a civil war?
This Other Guy: No, no it isn't.
M: Ok, so you are at war with someone.
TOG: Yes!
M: And... who are you at war with?
TOG: Terrorists! We're at war with terrorists!
M: Fair enough... so where's their army?
TOG: Ah, no, see, this is kind of tricky. This is an unusual enemy. His army can be everywhere!
M: Ok, but you aren't fighting them where they might be, you have to fight them where they are. You can't do much war otherwise...
TOG: Well yes, but you can't just wait for them to pop up and blow up your brains. You have to be everywhere!
M: So then, if you're everywhere, you will always have someone to fight with.
TOG: Yes! And he's definitely going to be a terrorists!
I never really decided to stop flogging that point. But I haven't in years. Maybe I'll start up again. Maybe people are more ready to hear it. Perhaps you would care to take up the term too?